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Bucs LT Penn Has No Plans To Let Up On Effort To Hold Position

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Donald Penn plans to work hard to keep his starting job on the Bucs' offensive line.

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By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 21, 2008

Updated: 08/21/2008 12:12 am

TAMPA - Donald Penn has no intentions of resting easy now that veteran Luke Petitgout is no longer competing for Tampa Bay's crucial left tackle position.

Besides, offensive line coach Bill Muir is still on the scene as Penn's personal taskmaster.

Penn started the final 12 regular-season games of 2007 and Tampa Bay's playoff matchup against the Giants after Petitgout was sidelined with a knee injury.

The Bucs were hoping to witness a spirited battle for the starting job, but Petitgout was released Saturday, leaving a still-developing undrafted free agent to protect Jeff Garcia's blind side again.

"I'm a year better, but I know I have to improve, because I don't want to lose my spot," said Penn, 25, who was released by the Vikings and signed by the Buccaneers in October 2006. "Coach Muir stays on me, and that's what makes me go. I appreciate that. If he stops talking to me, that's when I'll start getting worried."

Penn appears determined to fight off the next challenger, Anthony Davis, a two-year starter at left tackle until Petitgout was signed as a free agent in 2007.

"Anthony's a heck of a left tackle, too, so Donald knows he's got to come out here and work hard every day," Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan said. "He was given an opportunity last year, and that's what the NFL is all about. He went out and played well ... but that was last year. When you let your guard down, that's when people start finding holes in your game. All he has to do is come in here and work."

The Bucs would like to see more hustle and drive from Penn, who didn't get much of a look from Minnesota despite a solid college career at Utah State, where he was a four-year starter.

"Donald Penn is putting a little more physical pop on tape, but he can play better," Coach Jon Gruden said. "We do push him. We push him hard. He responds to it and we see progress. It's a huge responsibility to be a really good left tackle in this league. You can't have mental lapses, period."

The vigilant Muir will continue to stay on Penn's case, eager to spot any warning signs of a player who feels he has it made.

"Let's be honest," Muir said. "Since the fourth game of last year, Petitgout hasn't been in the mix. We'll push Donald Penn to be as good as he can be. He can't relax. There are some things that will spur him on, I promise you that."

In Week 1, Penn will face his next regular-season test as the Bucs venture to New Orleans against a beefed-up Saints pass rush.

"When you get comfortable, that's when you get lazy," Penn said. "I put a lot on my back about not letting my quarterback get knocked down. When you're a young player, you are told to protect the quarterback like he's your mama. I still use that idea today.

"I'm not going to let anybody come in our house and hurt my mama."

The Bucs have invested heavily in drafting offensive linemen with premium picks, and Penn knows he's a key component of a unit with immense promise.

He said he doesn't like the spotlight that often comes with manning the left tackle spot, which is now regarded by many NFL head coaches as second in importance only to the quarterback position on offense.

"I thought I held my own last year, but looking at the films in the offseason I saw a lot of things I needed to work on," Penn said. "Hopefully my name doesn't come up too much. I like sneaking up on people. A lot of players look at the Tampa Bay scouting reports on Monday and say to themselves, 'Who is this guy Donald Penn?' I'm OK with that. That's when I like to come out and surprise 'em all."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833 or ikaufman@tampatrib.com.

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